Simon Wolfson, chief executive of NextThe broader the tax cuts the better. It has to really feel like a tax cut. There is also an opportunity for the government to make productive capital investment in infrastructure. We have got to invest in energy. If we don't we are not going to have enough.

Richard Lambert, director general of the CBIThe chancellor needs to accompany his announcements with some kind of road map back to fiscal stability. We need a credible framework on which to build public finances for the future. More than anything, we need to bolster consumer and business confidence. Job security is what it's all about.

Jon Cruddas, Labour MP for Barking & DagenhamAny stimulus must be clear-cut and dramatic. One such initiative would be a cash return to all taxpayers. I would send everyone who pays the basic tax rate - 27 million people - a £500 cheque. That would cost 0.9% of GDP, some £13.5bn. Gordon Brown should personally sign the cheque and have it sent to everyone within weeks.

Norman Lamont, former chancellorIf there are to be any tax cuts, my first candidate would be VAT, accompanied by cuts in wasteful public spending. I hope that interest rates go down further. If there is to be a fiscal boost, through unfunded tax cuts, it should only be temporary. The key problem at the moment is the banking system - that is what the government should concentrate its efforts on.

Ann Pettifor, fellow, New Economics FoundationThe Bank of England must lower interest rates across the board, including those set by private bankers. Second, government needs to raise incomes to enable debtors to repay debts, and the banking sector to recover. The best way of doing this is to raise incomes in the public sector. Third, government needs to place a floor under house prices. Tax cuts will not help. Those who choose to spend the money on the high street will simply be transferring taxpayer resources to China.